HoopsHype.com Rumors

What are your plans for the next season, considering that now that you are adapted to European basketball? You might look for a spot in a top european team as CSKA, Barcelona, Panathinaikos. Sonny Weems: "After this season, I will be going back to the NBA unless I get an offer in Europe that I can't refuse". Is it better to be a go-to-guy player in an Euroleague club or a role player in the NBA with limited minutes? SW: "Go to player in Europe is cool, and a role player in NBA is too. When I go back to NBA I hope that my experience in Europe will help prepare me to be a full time starter and closer. I wanna be on the floor at the end of games. When I came overseas I wanted to work on my 3pt shot, half court game, and my decision making. I have gotten better in all those areas. Europe is great for being able to work on your game". Sportando

Free Agency, Europe, Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Emiliano Carchia: Roger Montgomery, agent of Sonny Weems, just denied to Sportando that Weems has been offered to Siena. Weems is with Zalgiris Twitter

Italy, Lithuania, Sonny Weems, Montepaschi Siena, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Emiliano Carchia: After six games in Euroleague, Ty Lawson is averaging 7ppg, 3.2rpg and 1.3apg (with assists made just in 3 games).So far big disappointment Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Lockout, Lithuania, Ty Lawson, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Sonny Weems: Strange days over here, though. After one of my best games so far, where I finished with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists against Brose Basket to win our first Euroleague game, I had a terrible surprise when I went back home. I got robbed! I had never been robbed in the States. I was like, “Man, what is going on? What is the world coming to?” They took some money and a couple of electronic things… Nothing serious, but there is something I was really sad about: They took my XBox! I paid like $500 for this one and now it’s gone. And they left the videogames! HoopsHype

Lockout, Lithuania, Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Sonny Weems: Guess the NBA guys that decided to go overseas are looking smart right now. I’m still over here collecting checks while others are looking for a job at BestBuy. But hey, sometimes I wish I was in the States watching some football games… My Arkansas Razorbacks might win a national title this year! HoopsHype

Lockout, Lithuania, Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Deron Williams is not the only American point guard finding playing in Europe is not so easy. Nuggets point guard of the future Ty Lawson is finding the going rough in the Lithuanian league, according to Alex Kennedy at Hoopsworld. Ty Lawson is still struggling in Lithuania. Today, he went scoreless in six minutes of action for Zalgiris Kaunas. NBCSports.com

Lockout, Ty Lawson, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Emiliano Carchia: Bamberg GM in an interview at Sport1.de said that the toughest opponent of his team in Euroleague will be Zalgiris Kaunas with Chris Kaman Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Lockout, Chris Kaman, Lithuania, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Emiliano Carchia: Bamberg's GM did not want to reveal the source. It was rumored days ago about Zalgiris interested in the German big man during NBA lockout Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Lockout, Chris Kaman, Lithuania, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Lawson’s debut with the Lithuanian club Zalgiris Kaunas couldn’t have been any worse. He struggled on both ends of the court, finishing with 3 points and 1 assist in 17 minutes of action. He was benched for the second half, and it was clear that he wasn’t on the same page as his teammates. HoopsWorld

Denver Nuggets, Lockout, Lithuania, Ty Lawson, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Marc J. Spears: Lithuania Zalgiris Kaunas expected to continue search for an NBA big man after being turned down by @Chris Kaman. Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Lockout, Chris Kaman, Zalgiris Kaunas 

According to Sport24.gr, Zalgiris Kaunas reached an agreement with Chris Kaman for one year with NBA out when the lockout ends. Sportando

Los Angeles Clippers, Lockout, Chris Kaman, Lithuania, Zalgiris Kaunas 

The reality of the NBA lockout is hitting home as the Nuggets' point guard Ty Lawson — one of the team's top players — said today he has signed to play with a team in Lithuania called Zalgiris Kaunas. Lawson said agreed Sunday to play for this team, which also features former Nugget teammate Sonny Weems. "It's the best situation for me to go out there," Lawson said by phone. "Being at home, I'm not saying I'm a lazy person, but I want to be in the gym. And plus, it's a new experience going out to Lithuania, so why not? It was a no-brainer. "And as soon as the lockout ends, I can come right back and be with the Denver Nuggets." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Ty Lawson, Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

NBA starting PG joins us! BC Zalgiris signed Ty Lawson from Denver Nuggets till the end of NBA lockout!!! Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Lockout, Lithuania, Ty Lawson, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Sonny Weems: Looks like me and the little homie @TyLawson3 will be on the same team this year again!! Twitter

Lockout, Lithuania, Ty Lawson, Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Kleiza doesn't say no to Lietuvos Rytas and Zalgiris "When everything is alright, we'll see in which Lithuanian team I will play. Of course, if they need me. If not, I would have to go to Toronto. Maybe they will let me join them because they own me a lot of money," Kleiza laughs. BasketNews.lt

Toronto Raptors, Linas Kleiza, Lockout, Lithuania, Zalgiris Kaunas 

As reported on Twitter by Jonathan Givony from DraftExpress, Kenyon Dooling was close to signing in Zalgiris Kaunas but the deal ended up backing out at last minute. Sportando

Keyon Dooling, Lockout, Lithuania, Zalgiris Kaunas 

First off, can you talk to us a bit about the process you went through with Sonny in terms of deciding whether or not to play overseas next year? What are thoughts on the team's coaching change and did that factor into the decision? Roger Montgomery: The process started in Earnest towards the end of the regular season.. I started to look at a few teams in Europe to gauge interest , and once I identified a few possible fits I did more due diligence and stayed in close contact with the NBPA about the lockout status. The coaching change though didn't have much influence on our decision.. I liked Jay, and I love Casey. I'm not dissing Jay, I just personally know Casey! So either way was cool. Raptors HQ

Toronto Raptors, Lockout, Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

How hard was it for Sonny to head overseas, knowing his relationship with DeMar and Amir, and did he talk to them prior to making the decision? And finally looking past this coming season, does Sonny want to stay in Toronto? Roger Montgomery: I don't think it was hard because he isn't actually in Europe yet. But I'm sure it will be a challenge when he is there and he sees DeMar and Amir playing on TV etc. But he knows our goal, so it's worth the sacrifice. They will always be boys. DeMar had some knowledge of the potential of Sonny going to Europe, although I'm not sure if Amir knew. I know it's hard for us not to do (focus on the future) but WE, Sonny and myself, have made a pledge to only focus on Zalgiris and this season. Europe will be an adjustment, and I want him totally focused on winning, getting better in the half court, being a lockdown defender, and his three-point shot. If, I mean WHEN, he does that, he will have his CHOICE of where to play in the future! Raptors HQ

Toronto Raptors, Lockout, Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Last week's decision by Sonny Weems to leave the NBA for a season to play in Lithuania wasn't difficult at all. In fact, it was a rather easy one for the West Memphis native. Weems' one-year deal with Zalgiris Kaunas of Lithuania will keep him in Europe for the entire season, regardless of how long the lockout lasts. "It was very easy because I want to play basketball," Weems said Monday. "I can't sit around and wait and see what the NBA is going to do. You never know. They may lock out the whole season and a lot of players will be scrambling, trying to go overseas. I went ahead and took the deal." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

"I think it's a great situation for me because with me being a free agent this year, if the lockout ends Dec. 1, we don't have time to negotiate free agency and I'd have to play for the qualifying offer, which me and my agent decided we didn't want to do," Weems said. "They wouldn't have enough time to negotiate a deal for me, so my best bet was to go overseas and boost my stock up a little bit because the NBA pays a lot of attention to overseas players. "Me playing over there will give me great experience." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas